Local sketch group The Stonewall Players just released their new album on Bandcamp on December 21st, and it’s available to fans for the low, low price of $FREE.99. (Or whatever you’d like to pay—might be nice to throw the group a few bones, right?)

Not familiar with the Players? Here’s a little background and more info on the album from team member Matt Schmid:

“The Stonewall Players are Andrew Kramcsak, Joe Pantalone, and myself. We filmed some shorts here and there after high school but never really tried to do anything live, as none of us were aware of a live sketch comedy scene until I took the sketch 101 course with [Secret Pants’] Brian Kelly at PHIT. After that we began attending Sketch Up Or Shut Up regularly which, so far, is the only live performing we’ve done of our material. We decided to record these sketches as an album because we sort of wanted to flush them out and start writing new material. I think it’s a good format for us because we have more of capacity for writing than, I’d imagine, performing. Also, jokes can be layered differently and more nuanced when you don’t have to get that instant big laugh on a stage;it can be more low key.

As for the material itself, Andrew and I wrote everything on the album and then punched up each other’s sketches. We write in a really complimentary way, he’s really good with details and specific phrasings and I really like the big picture, so it’s easy to hand off stuff. I also write a little more darker and absurd stuff and Andrew, who is very bookish, brings a sweetness and a sophistication to the characters.

We definitely look forward to performing live in the new year. I was one of the writers for the PHIT Sketch House Team The Flat Earth and it was really awesome witnessing the show come together. Watching [Secret Pants’] Paul Triggiani direct was bonkers and intimidating and an amazing learning experience, so I hope to bring what I learned from that show into our material.”

Aaron sits down with Kevin McDonald of the Kids in the Hall to talk about his comedy career, his process, and the improv to sketch workshop he taught in Philadelphia. Later, Aaron talks with Brian Kelly and Paul Triggiani of Secret Pants about their experience in the class and working with someone who was a great influence on them. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.

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